By JEFF TIRRELL
Teachers across Massachusetts are rallying today in support of a remote start to the school year, which is coming in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Public schools in Massachusetts closed back in March for in-class learning, and never reopened.
School districts are weighing options for the start of school, including going with full in-classroom instruction, remote learning, or a hybrid of both. Most recently, the Gill-Montague School Committee last night voted overwhelmingly to begin the year with remote learning exclusively, although that decision is subject to change as the situation is assessed.
Greenfield Mayor Roxann Wedegartner joined the teachers’ rally on the Common. Greenfield Public Schools chose to go with a so-called Remote-Plus model, which will feature a remote learning platform with some additional “in-person” services.
The teachers unions are urging Governor Charlie Baker and other state officials to keep schools closed for in-person learning until they are deemed safe for students, teachers, and other staff. Baker this week said schools in communities that are currently at a lower risk of the virus should open their schools for in-person classes.